Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-12-16
BY WILLIAM PITTENGER,
a MEMBER OF TIE EXPEDITION.

G<-opyrightod, 1881, by War Publishing Co., N Y,
and published 10y arrangement with then.l
But while so ANXIOUS TO reacn Aualrs-
Vile, the next station above, where there
was side track, it would never do to
cave the way open from Kingston, as the
distance is only ten miles. and if the enc
my choose to make up pursuing train at
~eba3 point, on account of suspicious
formed, it might be very embarrassing.
.c5,J it seemed that we had scarcely got
,Inder full Roadway at tremendous rate
Jf speed before the tender brakes, all that
I'VE bad on our train, were put sharply
down and we were on the ground almost
before the train had stopped, and under
'1be energetic leadership of Andrews were
0ard at work lifting the track, the readi-
Isl mode Of effective obstruction in our
power. We again cut the wire, and also
loaded on Il large number Of ties and
other kinds of wood to be used in burning
1he bridge. We were the more anxious
for abundant fuel as the Ccasclcss rain,
rhich was now severe, would render
4i1dlng fire without much wood slow
md difficult. No time was lost in these
operations rs but few could work ut
rack lifting at once, and Others We're
eaIy for any other useful employment.
I.tlU@ Il rail seems easy enough. but it
Nas lar from easy in practice. The rail
S long and heavy: it is securely holtcd to
3ther rails. and fastened with GREAT -piFrs
1riycu into solid oak ties which in tum
arc deeply imbcddcd in the ground. This
VA, he first place we wished to take up
4 rail very quickly, and accordingly we
were far more sensible Of the difficulty
-nau when we had abundance Of leisure.
We were not excited, for we believed our
selves ahead Of amy probable pursuit; but
- pass the two trains still before us, and
hurry 90 our real work of bridge burning,
vas an ardent desire. Slowly we drew
sui spike after spike, Gathering ont the
great nails as rapidly as possible with our
-Ine iron bar | cannot tell how many
minutes we spent but time went by
swiftly The large load of ties, which
Pere not far away, was great acquisi-
ion, and were all on board before the
stubborn rail was half loosencd.
The rail was luoseued at the southern
md. and for perhaps two-thirds of it,
.eDEh was cleared of spikes. Eight OF
is, including Our strongest men, took hold
ii il. TO try to pull out the remainder by
'.he raj! Itself, But they We're too firmly
liked; ana we were about to give up tho
attempt and wait to batter out IL few
moro. when away in the distance we
heard family bur Enthusiastically, The
Whistle Of II locomotive in pursuit! But
,d'ut and far Off as il was. no sound more
.IuWclcomc ever fell on human car Be
,oys uS, only two or three miles away
here were two trains possibly blocking
he track: and behind us Il pursuing en-
5lnc. which in a minute or two more
-Fodld he upon Us. 1t nearly seemed a!
( our race was ended But we did no
pause for moralizng; we lifted again anC
with every particle Of strength, as mel
ift Tor life. The strong rail bent unde
he terrible pressure and snapped with
Jul! twaug, All of Us tumbled i'm con
used heap down the grade, but in a no
ncut were on our feet and hurryin:
coward he car taking our precious hal
.an with us. For the time we Wcr
edVcd 80 matter who the pmsucr wa
ne would he arrested by that break. an,
rive Us time, with favoring fortuno t.
lase q Ne trains above